Meeting of the Parliament

General Questions Kevin Stewart S6O-05106 1. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government about the impact of its Energy Profits Levy on business confidence, investment and jobs in Scotland. Carol Mochan S6O-05107 2. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the Ayrshire Growth Deal. Keith Brown S6O-05108 3. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to safeguard the future of the Alloa Campus of Forth Valley College. Dr Sandesh Gulhane S6O-05109 4. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made regarding the number of households whose council tax bills could rise as a result of the proposals in its consultation on the future of council tax. George Adam S6O-05110 5. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure the sustainability of town centres. Douglas Lumsden S6O-05111 6. To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase the current threshold of 50MW for approval by its Energy Consents Unit of onshore electricity generating stations, to allow more decisions to be taken by local planning authorities. Neil Bibby S6O-05112 7. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of school swimming provision, including the number of children who leave primary school unable to swim. Fulton MacGregor S6O-05113 8. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with North Lanarkshire Council regarding the reported coal spoil fire in Shawhead, Coatbridge, and any assurances that can be given to the public. followed by First Minister’s Questions Russell Findlay S6F-04407 1. Question to be taken in Chamber. Anas Sarwar S6F-04408 2. Question to be taken in Chamber. Ross Greer S6F-04409 3. Question to be taken in Chamber. Christine Grahame S6F-04415 4. To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the implementation of the proposed scheme for the renovation of military homes in Scotland. Douglas Lumsden S6F-04416 5. To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Government will announce a timetable for improvement works on the A96 north of Inverurie, following the publication of its corridor review consultation report. Michael Marra S6F-04424 6. To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the Auditor General’s report, 2024/25 audit of the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts, which indicates a £1 billion underspend by the Scottish Government. Beatrice Wishart S6F-04425 7. To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the recent news that Eastern Airways, which runs lifeline regional services in the Highlands and Islands, has entered administration. followed by Members’ Business: Audrey Nicoll: Protecting Scotland's Rivers Audrey Nicoll S6M-19194 That the Parliament believes that Scotland has abundant rivers and streams, which support a diverse ecosystem and are the lifeblood of the landscape and central to the nation's brand, economy and sense of place; considers that they are now one of the country's most nature-depleted and endangered habitats; believes that this has arisen from a range of factors, including major flood events, water scarcity and increasing temperatures; expresses its concern regarding what it sees as the devastating decline in the population of freshwater pearl mussels in Scotland's rivers, including the River Dee, which flows through the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine constituency; notes the commitment of organisations, including the James Hutton Institute, Dee Catchment Partnership, Dee District Salmon Fishery Board and Cairngorm National Park Authority, to make the freshwaters and freshwater pearl mussel population more resilient to extreme climate events; believes that there is an opportunity provided by the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill to establish a legal framework for biodiversity targets, including in the freshwater ecosystem to ensure healthy invertebrate diversity as an integral part of a fully functioning ecosystem; welcomes the Programme for Government commitment to extend the Nature Restoration Fund to enable funding of multi-year projects to help deliver the priorities set out in the Biodiversity Strategy, and commends everyone working to restore and protect Scotland’s rivers. Further details available for S6M-19194